Pyrolysis is formally defined as chemical decomposition of organic materials by heating in the absence of oxygen.

Several different pyrolysis techniques are being developed to produce hydrocarbon fuel similar to oil or diesel from organic waste and other kinds of biomass.

Anhydrous pyrolysis

The term pyrolysis often refers to anhydrous pyrolysis, without water. Anhydrous pyrolysis has been assumed to take place during catagenesis, the conversion of kerogen to fossil fuels.

One use of industrial anhydrous pyrolysis is to extract usable fuels from a wide variety of organic products. The production of charcoal through the pyrolysis of wood has been widely used. In many industrial applications the process is done under pressure and at operating temperatures above 430°C (800°F). Anhydrous pyrolysis can also be used to produce liquid fuel similar to diesel from solid biomass. The most common technique uses very low residence times (<2 seconds) and high heating rates using a temperature between 350-500 °C and is called either fast or flash pyrolysis.

It also can be used to degrade wastes, as a form of incineration.

Hydrous pyrolysis

When water is present hydrous pyrolysis takes place.

Thermal depolymerization uses hydrous pyrolysis in the conversion of organic waste into light crude oil.

External links

BioOil - One of several anhydrous pyrolyses techniques being developed to produce oil from organic waste